Stiletto

An assassin moves quickly in the night, his short blade stabs out, and he is on his way while his victim is still realizing he has been mortally wounded. A woman is receiving unwanted attention from a large, smelly man, and suddenly pulls a short blade from her gown or corset. If these scenes sound familiar to you, then you have probably seen the Stiletto in action on screen or in the pages of historical or fantasy fiction.

The Stylet or Stiletto originated in Italy during the 15^th century. It is the smallest of daggers, easily concealed, lightest in weight, ideal for surprise attacks. Not meant for dueling or slashing, these daggers were exclusively thrusting weapons, with a strong triangular sectional blade to aid in punching through armor and flesh. The dimensions of the stilettos made these daggers a favorite among criminals and assassins, though they were later popular for self-defense. The Medieval Store is pleased to bring a functional Stiletto to the market, though we must request that our customers refrain from any assassination attempts with it.

The Stylet or stiletto is the smallest of daggers, easily concealed, lightest in weight, with a strong triangular sectional blade. The dimensions of the stilettos made these daggers a favorite among assassins. The dagger was easy to conceal, enabling assassins to follow there would be victims at close range without being spotted.

This Stiletto is a reproduction from one on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts. The total length is 13 inches.